After nearly a year of anticipation, Indiana’s former Governor Mike Pence has put an end to his 2024 presidential campaign days before it even began. With rumors about a possible run beginning early in 2020, Mike Pence’s team had the hard task of rallying support months before his official statement announcing his candidacy.
Unfortunately, the team was unable to generate the enthusiasm necessary to jumpstart his political mission. Pence’s polls and fundraising numbers immediately showed that financial and voter support was merely a fraction of what his potential primary opponents had pulled in.
As a result, Pence announced today that he is suspending his campaign, citing his devotion to his family and church as a contributing factor. In a statement, Pence said,
“Although I am open to the possibility of future national service, I know in my heart that now is not the right time for me or for my family. Candidly, I also know that my message of bringing Americans together and restoring the promise of America for all is not a message that is resonating in today’s Republican party. I remain heartbroken and humbled to have been a part of the Trump Administration at such a historic time in the life of our nation.”
The decision to suspend his campaign now may have been influenced by Republican donor fractiousness, with some supporters of Donald Trump suggesting Pence should take responsibility for the 2020 election errors, denying him political capital moving forward. Despite his friendships with the Trump family, Pence’s stance to seek unity and healing in the Republican party pitted many Trump supporters against him, a factor which contributed to his election struggles.
Pence’s suspension of his 2024 campaign serves as another reminder of the power and influence of the former president, with Donald Trump still looming over the Republican primaries. While Pence’s future in politics is still uncertain, retired US Senator Jeff Flake has indicated an interest in launching a bid for the White House in the coming election cycle.
